The 1989 Château Latour hails from a celebrated Bordeaux vintage that remains a touchstone for investors and collectors. The growing season was serene, blessing the vines with ample ripeness and balance, leading to grapes of health and opulence. While initially some critics underrated this vintage, believing it marked a 'mini-slump' after the legendary 1982, subsequent tastings have revealed it to be an excellent Latour, far exceeding initial expectations. It has garnered impressive scores, including 94 points from Wine Spectator, 91-92 points from Neal Martin, and 95 points from John Gilman. Remarkably, after over three decades, the wine still displays a deeper and more vibrant color than anticipated, with minimal browning at the rim. 【A highly-rated First Growth Bordeaux from the celebrated 1989 vintage, showing remarkable longevity and complexity】 On the nose, the 1989 Latour presents an archetypal profile with black fruit, gravel, and graphite notes, evolving to reveal touches of pencil box with aeration. It offers a deep and complex bouquet of cassis, sweet dark berries, cigar ash, Latour's signature gravelly, dark soil, cedary oak, and a smoky topnote. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive with a gentle grip, smooth texture, and satisfying depth. It delivers tremendous flavor and tannic texture, embodying the quintessence of Cabernet in a 'manly mode' yet exhibiting tremendous class and restraint. The finish is extremely long, with a hint of menthol freshness, mineral, and ferrous components, supported by velvety tannins. Some notes also mention scents of warm gravel and wild herbs infusing soft black fruit, with a subtle touch of brettanomyces. Overall, it's full-bodied, with firm, well-integrated tannins, excellent mineral drive, good acidity, and a very long, balanced, and complex finish. Serving Advice: The 1989 Latour is a mature wine that benefits from careful handling. The cork should be approached with caution. Decanting is recommended to allow the wine to fully open up and to separate any sediment that may have formed over the decades. A decant of 1-2 hours should be sufficient, but monitor the wine's evolution. Serve at a classic cellar temperature of 16-18°C (60-64°F) in large Bordeaux glasses to capture its complex aromatics. 🍴 This First Growth Bordeaux pairs exquisitely with grilled duck breast, and is also ideal with other roasted or grilled red meats such as beef and lamb, rich game dishes like venison, and strong, aged cheeses. 🥂 The 1989 Château Latour is a wine for truly special occasions, significant dinners, or for serious collectors who appreciate the profound evolution and complexity of a mature First Growth Bordeaux. It is also considered an exceptional investment bottle.